Part of an orishas paraphernalia includes metal or wooden implements that olorishas call herramientas, or tools. As implied by the word, herramientas empower an orisha. Although many elements encountered by the Lukumi in the New World were adopted and reinterpreted for and in their relationship to the orishas, this art form was not created in the Americas. Many elements that conform an orishas herramientas have counterparts in Yorubaland, for example, Oshun’s edan, similar to those used by the Yoruba Ogboni society; Shango’s oshe, a double-headed axe; and the ashabas, charm chains used by various orishas that are reminiscent of the shabas used by Yoruba hunters and hunting deities and the pencas used in Brazilian Candomble, Lukumi religion’s Brazilian sister.

“My grandfather and his brother were blacksmiths and my first introduction to metal work came from them. I started making objects in metal as early on as 12 years old. I later gained an apprenticeship with a local silver/goldsmith when I was 16. I built my own forge and travelled all over Ireland, meeting blacksmiths in order to learn the old traditions of metalworking as opposed to modern electrical methods of metal fabrication.

Tami Jo Urban, Omí Lana was ordained to Yemojá in 2006. Originally from Detroit, she currently lives in Miami where she is working as a freelance artist, web developer (including Eleda.org) and tattoo artist. In addition to her full-scope commercial design services, Tami is accepting commission work for orisha and orisha-related items. The slideshow below profiles some of the work she has created. More information, her biography, resume and full body of work can be found at Tamityville.